Comma Splices and Run-On Sentences

• Comma Splice- two or more sentences joined together as one, separated by a comma

• Run-On-two sentences written incorrectly as one

• Compound sentence-two independent clauses separated by a comma and conjunction

• FANBOYS-for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Fixing these errors

• Add a comma and a FANBOYS word (a conjunction)• Add a semi colon• Add a period• Change an independent clause to a dependent clause by

adding a word like although, because, despite or while– Because we were required to read the novel, I actually enjoyed

it. • Keep an eye out for verbs that end in –ing. When these

are underlined in the ACT, it might be a fragment error hiding. – The monkey swinging in the tree.

Punctuation Rules• Commas

– Separate introductory words from the main part of the sentence– Set off non-essential words or phrases– Separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction (FANBOYS

word)– Separate items in a series

• Semi-Colons – Link two independent clauses NOT joined by a FANBOYS word– Use with: furthermore, however, in fact, indeed, moreover,

nevertheless, therefore and thus– DO NOT USE with: although, despite, whereas, who, which, where,

that• Dashes

– Indicate break in thought– Set off parenthetical information from the main part of a sentence

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

• anyone, anybody, everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, and nobody are always singular

• Either and neither are always singular• Collective nouns may be singular or plural depending on

meaning in sentence– The team saluted its fans.– The members of the team saluted their fans.

• Titles of singular entities (a book, a country), take the singular• Every or many takes the singular• “The number of” is singular• “A number of” is plural

What is a modifier?What are the rules for modifiers?

• Do not confuse use of adjectives and adverbs • Make sure position does not create confusion

– New students and parents should attend the meeting.• Should not cause ambiguity

– Ten of the thirty students did not report minor problems. • Should be singular, even when adjective is actually a noun

– The freshman class• Careful with misplaced modifiers

– I know a person with a new car named George. • Commas can help you know what goes with what

Pronouns and their CasesNominative (subjective)

Objective Possessive

Singular I, you, he, she, it, who

Me, you, him, her, it, whom

My, mine, yours, your, his, hers, its

Plural They, we Us, them Ours, our, theirs

Part of the Sentence

Subject, predicate noun

Direct object, indirect object, object of a preposition

Possessive noun, adjective

Use after a linking verb (verbs that show state of being or link the subject to a description)

Use after an action verb

Use after a linking verb OR before a noun (as an adjective)

Avoiding Wordiness in Writing

1. Change passive voice to active voice2. Use strong verbs3. Avoid redundancy4. Avoid exaggerating words5. Get rid of filler/unnecessary phrases

Passive v. Active Voice

• Passive voice is when you make the object of the sentence the subject of the sentence– Active voice: Germany invaded Poland.– Passive voice: Poland was invaded by Germany.

• Passive voice is grammatically correct, but it often makes your writing wordy and dull

Strong Verbs

When using verbs …1. Use action verbs instead of forms of to be,

especially coupled with the word “there”2. Avoid stilted verbs –started to do something

When to add a comma

• To separate independent clauses when joined by a conjunction

• To set off introductory phrases• Separate items in a list• To set off non-essential information• With punctuation of dates and geographic

information

Warm Up-MondayComma Abuse Rules

• Don't use a comma to separate the subject from the verb.– Incorrect: An eighteen-year old in California, is now considered an

adult. • Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases

in a compound predicate.– Incorrect: We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study.

• Don't put a comma between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or compound object.– Incorrect (compound subject):The music teacher from your high

school, and the football coach from mine are married.– Incorrect (compound object):Jeff told me that the job was still

available, and that the manager wanted to interview me.

More Comma Abuse• Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence,

such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses). That clauses after nouns are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.– The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.– The apples that fell out of the basket are bruised.

• Don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast).– Incorrect: She was late for class, because her alarm clock was broken.– Incorrect: The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating. – Correct: She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar.(This

comma use is correct because it is an example of extreme contrast)